Jules POV
I was late to school because I slept in for one minute. I need all the time I could get, I don't have a ride to school or anything I have to run or walk. My mom loves me and all but, she doesn't wake up to see me leave for school. I got dressed quickly, brushed my teeth, and grabbed a quick apple before leaving. I live fairly close to the school but, it still takes about 10 minutes if all of the street lights cooperate, and if I sprint. I started my way home, I took a quick glance at my phone, which is a flip phone because we can't afford a fancy smart phone. I had about 10 minutes to get to class, I panicked. I started to run taking bites out of my apple after every step. Great, if I wasn't late enough already I got caught up in the first street light.
After my great workout I made it to school just in time. I saw a girl talking to another girl so I ran past them trying to get to class. Before I walked in I looked into my backpack and ran to my locker. Which was conveniently placed near the girls were talking. 'Try not to draw attention to yourself' I said in my mind. I ran up to my locker and struggled to open it, I was in such a rush.
"Yo" I heard, no one would want to talk to me so I decided to assume it wasn't for me "locker kid" maybe it was for me. I looked around and saw a familiar girl staring at me. "Go to class" I nodded and I fumbled with my locker until it opened, I rushed throwing my books in and taking them out. Once I got everything I slammed it shut and ran back to class. I took my seating and starting taking deep breaths. My side started to hurt a bit, no more running for me. I looked up at the ceiling and took another breath. The announcements came on reminding me that I wasn't late which, made me pretty happy. Before announcements were other someone walked in, my eyes widened when I saw her. That was the girl that told me to get to class, well I am in class so it's not like she'll hurt me or anything... Right? oh god, I rubbed my hands together then, on my shorts. I took more deep breaths and I swear it felt like everyone was staring at me, judging. I looked down, focused on my paper as the teacher projected the notes on the wall.
The bell rang and I gathered my stuff together, as usual I was the first one out. I ran into someone as i was speed walking to my next class.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention" I squatted down and picked up the person's paper.
"It's cool, I should've looked where I was going too" the person said was we were both squatted down picking up the papers. "Sorry" he said as he handed me my papers.
"It's okay" and I walked towards my class. I felt as if I was late but, when I got there barely anyone was there so, I took my seat and relaxed a bit. The bell rang signifying that the class is starting and everyone started to pile in. Every other class went the same exact way.
After school I went to my locker, I looked around to see if there was any trouble around and I found none. I closed my locker door and spun around quickly knocking someone over.
"Oh my gosh!" I felt so bad for him "are you okay?" He moaned
"I'm fine" a girl ran up to him and started to help him up. I grabbed the papers he dropped and handed them to him "guess I should get to know the guy who keeps bumping into me" this was the same guy? wow am I a terrible person "I'm barry" he held out his hand as he rubbed the back of his head hoping to ease the pain
"I'm so sorry" he gestured that it was okay. "Oh and I'm jules" he smiled, I held out my hand and he shook it.
"But, twice?" he laughed "what luck" he said. I felt so bad though, this is why I have no friends. "okay. See ya" he high fived me and walked away with the girl.
I started to walk home, I've been finding new routes home everyday hoping to find one that is faster so, I don't have to wake up so early. I took a route that was a lot faster than I thought it would be but, it was still longer than my usual route.
"Hey mom" I called out as I walked in. No answer. I got worried, my mom is a stay at home mom but, sometimes she helps other people at home. Just like watching a friend's kid or something like that. I walked into the kitchen an found a note.
'Watching tita Esther's kids tonight. Here money for dinner - mom
P.s. Hope you had a good day in school. I love you'
I smiled at her note and took the money from behind the note. It was only 5 dollars so I think she wanted me to get fast food like McDonalds or something. I started my walk down to McDonald's at about 5:00. I took the shortest route I could without cutting through backyards or something. It wasn't late just yet but, I heard someone crying. Well I think it was crying.
I followed the sound and it led to a girl with a cigarette in hand. She was sitting in front of a tree, sobbing into her knees.
"What's wrong?" It slipped out of my mouth. I swear I didn't want to say anything, I wanted to just move along and ignore it. The guilt would probably eat me alive but, at least there's no attention drawn to myself. I heard a disgusting sniffle, she looked up from her knees and wiped her face with her shirt.
"Why does it matter?" I was panicked because I didn't know what to saw so I took a second and calmed myself down
"Because no one deserves to feel the way you're feeling" I swear to God this is not me talking. I gotta admit though, I like what I was saying. It felt reassuring, I looked at her. She was twirling the cigarette around her fingers, I held me hand out an said "give it to me" she handed it to me no questions asked. What is going on?
